Reviews

Cursive's Domestica

Author: Joe Derderian

6/19/2000 | Icon | Feature

Cursive sprung from the depths of Omaha, Neb., in 1995 when Tim Kasher (vocals, guitar), Matt Maginn (bass, vocals), and Steve Pedersen (guitar, vocals) asked Clint Schnase (drums) to get on board.
After releasing their first four songs as the seven-inch EP The Disruption (Saddle Creek), this emotive punk band set about preparing their debut album for release on New York-based Zero Hour Records. Alas, it was not to be; but the label did release “Such and Dry," their second seven-inch single, before Cursive decided to move onward.
California-based Crank! Records eventually agreed to release their debut album, Such Blinding Stars for Starving Eyes, in 1997. Subsequently, Cursive also released a split 10-inch single (with Silver Scooter from Austin, Texas) on Crank!. That year also saw the release of their third seven-inch single, “The Icebreaker," on Saddle Creek.
In 1998, the band began work on what would eventually become their second LP for Saddle Creek, The Storms of Early Summer: Semantics of Song. Unfortunately, shortly after recording was completed, Pedersen left the band to pursue a law degree. Meanwhile, Kasher made a hasty move to Portland in pursuit of other interests, disbanding Cursive in the process. However, within a year Kasher re-evaluated his decision and returned to Omaha, hoping to reform Cursive. The band turned to longtime friend Ted Stevens (ex-Lullaby for the Working Class) to fill the void left by Pedersen.
Reformed and refocused, Cursive recorded their third and latest LP, Cursive's Domestica (Saddle Creek). Based on Kasher's marriage and subsequent divorce, it's a one-sided growl--an emotional rumination of voyeuristic rage and frustration, of trying to understand when and where it all turned to shit. The band, balancing ultra-tight musicianship with Kasher's explosive vocals, evokes cathartic passion and anger that belies their mid-80's D.C. punk roots. See Cursive Wednesday at the Green Room, with openers Frodoe and Alto Hecta.